Lady Indians drop two league matches

Tribe plays poorly against 'Mooks, but almost beat Banks

It was the worst of times, and almost the best of times for the Scappoose Lady Indians in Cowapa League volleyball matches last week.

The Lady Indians were just 15 percent hitting against Tillamook in a three-game loss, 25-23, 25-13, 25-18 on Monday.

We came out and played well in the first game, but then we spiraled downhill, Coach Mark Sprenger said. We just did not have the intensity we needed tonight...We need to be more aggressive hitting the ball. Yes, Tillamook played great defense, but we have to find a way to put a ball away.

Wednesday night, the team travelled to Banks where they had a much better outing, but lost in five games, 25-18, 25-21, 22-25, 11-25, and 16-14.

The team was 26 percent hitting, 40 of 152. They were 89 percent passing, 91 of 102, and 90 percent serving, 93 of 103. They had nine blocks and served up 20 aces.

Wow! What a match, Sprenger said. This would have been a huge win for us. We played the best match of the year and came up a few points short. We had a 7-2 lead in game five and then a 13-11 lead. We actually served for the match at 14-13, but could not score again.

Sprenger added, I am hoping this will give the girls the confidence they can play with anyone in the state. Every game from here on out is a playoff game. We have to win the rest of our league games and then hope we make it in. It should be an exciting next few weeks and my team will be ready.

The Lady Indians have their work cut out for them to make the play-in round of the playoffs via finishing third, but do have another path that might get them there.

The team is currently in fourth place, two games behind Tillamook and Astoria, those teams are ranked 8th and 7th respectively. Banks is ranked second.

The Lady Indians travel to Seaside and then host Yamhill-Carlton and Astoria in their last two regular season matches.

Scappoose may be able to sneak in via their ranking. League champions and the next highest ranked teams go directly to the state playoffs. The No. 2 teams then host the No. 3 teams with several teams also placed by their ranking.